Ogun Street Traders Given Three-Day Ultimatum To Vacate Roadsides, Walkways

Street traders and those who sell in open places like roadsides, and walkways have been given a three-day ultimatum by the Ogun State government to vacate those areas.

The Ogun government has described those places as unauthorized, noting that their activities are an infraction and cause nuisances to the society.

The warning was in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Engr Rasak Ojetola.

Oyetola said it had become necessary for the state to take such drastic action because the traders have defied several warnings from authorities; as such, their activities pose a significant danger to their lives, which they have refused to acknowledge.

He also alleged that traders illegally block drainage channels with their counters, planks, and steel containers, thereby exposing the state to avoidable floods, which are punishable under state environmental laws.

Ojetola added that the worst of the activities was how they fought pedestrians for disturbing them in their illegal selling places, which is a breach of public peace and harmony.

He said, “The state government cannot fold its hands and watch this small section of traders illegally converting half of motorable roads, walkways, and laybacks in different parts of the states to markets on the excuse of quick sales.”

“Aside from exposing themselves to avoidable vehicular mishaps, their activities also constitute an environmental nuisance to the aesthetic beauty of the state through the shanties they construct and place on these spaces.”

The perm sec, who warned that the state government will commence massive enforcement, which will result in the confiscation of goods, urged traders in that category to move into existing and government-approved markets.